"Biggest crowd in arena history"

What a wonderful way to start a birthday!! We left around 6AM and drove carefully and slowly to Boise. The angels were with us and we quickly found a parking space reasonably close to the entrance. Thank God we had passes (because of our volunteer work) and we didn't have to stand in the lines that wrapped out to the Green Belt (from what I was told).

I'm hearing that the crowds were the biggest in the Arena's history (estimated to be more than 14,000, with another 2,000 unable to enter). Talk about "WOW"!! For an AWESOME picture of the crowd, check it out here!!

Right now I'm still processing so I can't write any words of wisdom... I'll just post some of my favorite moments...

{Quick insert here: This is the best description of this morning's rally I've read yet... others have more quotes, more details... but this is what I'd have written if I was as talented as he is... the site has been having troubles tonight but keep trying to check out Juggernaut... it's worth it...!}

First I want to say that the introduction by Gov. Andrus was inspiring all in its own. If you don't have the time/inclination to watch the whole thing, at least watch Andrus' intro which includes:

“I’ve been around a long time, and I’ve seen a lot of political candidates come and go. I have not seen since John F. Kennedy in 1960, a candidate that has the capacity to unite and inspire the people of America like Barack Obama.”

Andrus said Obama could bring about change – in Washington, in the economy – and the war in Iraq. “It takes too many. It costs us too many lives. It’s a war that costs us too much. And for what reason? It’s a war that no one can justify. This is a man that can bring an end to that in my opinion,” Andrus said.

Then former Gov. Cecil Andrus introduced “the man I think should be and will be the next president of the United States.”

"He is the custodian of the hope and the dream of millions and millions of Americans.”

Some of my favorite statements from Obama:

“They told me there weren’t any Democrats in Idaho — that’s what they told me. But I didn’t believe them.”

"Our nation is at war, our planet is in peril and the dream that so many generations fought for feels like it is slowly slipping away... You and I together will remake this country, we will remake the world."

"We can help rural communities build new schools. I won't just talk about how great teachers are, I will reward them by paying them higher salaries."

If you watch the video, you will hear him talk about his plans for America's security, meeting the needs of our military, and more...

I remember "do not negotiate in fear, but do not fear to negotiate", why he wants to be President now rather than later (great statement... something about now they want him to wait until they "boil the hope" out of him!), his praise for our troops... oh, heck, I don't have the right words to describe it! WATCH IT!

Complete uncut speech from KTVB here, another video from KIVI here.

More from KTVB and KBCI Channel 2.
Check out photos here.
Idaho Statesman, 2/2/08
Idaho Statesman pics here.

Other blog reporting at this time:
Great post from Julie at Red State Rebels: Barack Obama fires up 14,000+ in Boise
DailyKos: 14,000 for Obama in Boise this morning!!
Ridenbaugh Press: Obama in Boise
(To check for current Idaho blog coverage, go to LeftyBlogs.)

On the flip side, what do you think about THIS???
GOP: Obama hoopla good for Idaho
Republicans say Obama’s visit draws welcome attention, but they’ll still dominate the state.
Wayne Hoffman, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Bill Sali, said Democrats suffer by comparison:

“Clearly, Americans are frustrated by the garbage spilling out of Washington, D.C. ... The question is: What kind of change do they want? If you want bigger government, higher taxes, more expensive energy and the loss of your Second Amendment rights, then I guess Obama’s your guy. I don’t think Idahoans want that.”

I would have included FOX 12 but their top stories at this time did not include any coverage, nor did the Times-News.

Now I think I will go take a nap!!